Washington State University’s tennis program has formally signed JoLynn Garrett, a ten-year-old supporter navigating life with Williams syndrome, as an honorary team member through the Team IMPACT initiative.

The ceremonial signing, held in Pullman, marks the beginning of a two-year partnership in which JoLynn will engage in team activities, attend practices, interact with players and participate in games alongside the Cougar Tennis squad.

Team IMPACT, a U.S.-based non-profit, connects children facing serious illness or disability with collegiate athletic teams to foster empowerment, meaningful social connections and resilience, encouraging reciprocal support between the child and student-athletes.

Washington State Tennis Head Coach Josh Graetz expressed enthusiasm about JoLynn’s addition, noting the swift friendships she has formed with players and the positive energy she brings to the program.

The collaboration reflects a broader movement in collegiate sports to include young ambassadors within team cultures, enhancing community bonds while creating memorable experiences for children matched through Team IMPACT’s clinically informed model.

According to the organisation, it has placed more than three thousand children with over seven hundred colleges and universities across all fifty U.S. states, strengthening programmes and enriching lives through sustained involvement in athletic environments.